Beauty, pt. 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9moCqVAF2ak

Ghost ~ Crowder

 

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,

~ Isaiah 61:1 NIVUK

 

The saying, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” is an opinion, implying that value, (beauty), is generated by a person's opinion. People’s good opinions can be useful and appreciated. However, allowing them any higher value can be extremely dangerous.

 

I know.

 

In my younger years, I was a people-pleaser. I wore myself out trying to gain the good opinions of others: my teachers, peers, and family. Sadly, I equated others’ opinions with the level of my worth. One careless word and I was shattered. Fortunately, in my early twenties, God put women in my path who were very strong in their faith-walk, and they taught me how to cultivate my relationship with Jesus.

 

As I read my Bible, took notes, asked questions, and learned to listen for and recognize God’s voice, I was given the greatest gift: realizing my true value and worth begin and end in God. In God’s unchanging opinion, I am loved, cherished, beautiful, and worth more than rubies. He knows my future and my past, and still, I am precious in His sight! That revelation really rocked my world, in a desperately needed way!

 

In his song, “Ghost,” David Crowder tells us to “Get ready.” As we invest in our relationship with God, reading, listening, and asking questions, we need to “get ready,” because He wants to change our lives! He loves to rip off the lies and lavish us with so much love that we won’t have room to doubt our value or worth in Him.

 

Knowing how this revelation healed my heart and my mind, it deeply saddens me when I see others—both adults and kids—trapped by the lies that their value is determined by the opinions, and sometimes careless words, of others. But God’s got a plan! He wants those who’ve received this great revelation to share it with others, so they, too, will know that their value and worth lie in Him, alone.

 

Thank you, Father, for giving us the gift of this revelation. Help us to share it, binding up the broken-hearted, proclaiming freedom for the captives, and releasing the prisoners from darkness. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

©Heather Potts 2022

Going on a Prayer Walk

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwijX74r7tk

What I See ~ Elevation Worship

 

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ. ~ Galatians 6:2 NIVUK

 

The other night, Elizabeth came out of her bedroom complaining that she couldn’t sleep. She’d been in bed for a while, so I gave her a task. I told her I wanted her to go on a prayer walk. I asked her if, in her mind, she could see the front office at school. When she said yes, I asked her to list the names of all the people in that office. I told her to pause at each doorway and pray for them. Then, one by one, I took her on a walk through the hallways of our school, listing off each classroom and office, and told her to stop in each doorway to pray for the teachers, aides, and staff in those rooms. After we’d made it through all elementary, and the Warrior’s Den, she looked at me and asked, “When am I supposed to do all of this? And what about middle school and high school?” I reminded her that she was going to do it in her mind. I also told her that once she started praying, I doubted that she’d be awake past 2^nd grade, if she started with the kindergarten classrooms.

Prayer is a powerful weapon. While explaining the Armor of God, Paul says, “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people,” (Ephesians 6:17-18). While the Bible doesn’t specifically speak to prayer-walking, Paul just instructed us to “always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” What better way to do that than with a prayer walk? You and your friends could walk the halls of your office or school, if they let you. You can walk and pray over your neighborhood. You can even lay in bed at night and pray for your pastors, or over the patients and staff in the hospitals or nursing homes.

Prayer’s power isn’t subject to your geography, only your availability. If we are going to carry one another’s burdens—and many of them are heavy—then the best way to show love and complete this task is through prayer. Where will you take your prayers, today?

©Heather Potts 2022

Change the Movie; Change the Tape

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIaT8Jl2zpI

You Say ~ Lauren Daigle

 

… and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), ~ 2 Corinthians 10:5 AMPC

 

If you don’t like where the pattern of your thoughts is taking you, think a different thought. ~ Graham Cooke

 

Have you ever watched a bad movie and realized halfway through you could either keep watching or do something else? Graham Cooke’s quote means as soon as you sense the downward spiral in your thoughts, it’s time to make a choice. Maybe, though, you’ve already fought the battle in your mind and are now feeling frustrated at having to battle for it, again. I felt that, recently. It’s not that I’d lost the ground I’d gained – I certainly wasn’t battling depression as I did in my teenage years – but I had become a bit lazy in taking every thought captive. That, coupled with some pain, I was ripe for attack.

 

Falling under attack isn’t the same as losing ground. As Joyce Meyer says in the opening of Battlefield of the Mind, “No matter how much we know in any area, there are always new things to learn, and things we have previously learned that we need to be refreshed in.” Clearly, I needed refreshing in this area, as God spent a week walking me though 2 Corinthians 10:5.

 

Have you ever struggled to follow verse 5? Years ago, a friend told me there were two parts. First, you need to know God’s truths to discern truth from lies. The second part is to take your thoughts captive. Think of your thoughts in a comic strip bubble. Then, you can easily grab and examine them. If they are truths from God, you can let them go. But if not, you need to throw them down and stomp on them. Luke 10:19 says we have the power and authority to trample on the head of the enemy. With your shoes of peace, trample the lie till it’s dead!

 

If you’ve been struggling with fear or lies, here are some truths to help you overcome. God says you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14); more than a conqueror (Rom. 8:37); more precious than rubies (Pr. 31:10); and created for a purpose (Jer. 29:11). He also said you are unique, lovely, cherished, forgiven, victorious, chosen, and His (Ps. 139:13; Dan. 12:3; 1 Pet. 2:9; Ps. 103:12; 1 Jn. 5:4; Jn. 15:16; Is. 43:1). Don’t take this battle lying down; conquer it with God’s truth!

©Heather Potts 2022

Foxholes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR1Hk0FVi_k

Together ~ for KING & COUNTRY (feat. Kirk Franklin & Tori Kelly)

 

Two are better than one … ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9 NIVUK

 

When it comes to someone else’s foxhole, we tend to fall into three different categories. The first thinks, “How awful!” They may even yell down, “Praying for you!” But then they keep going. The second stops, calls down a prayer for the person in the foxhole, but then also moves on, praying again when they think about it. The third climbs down into the foxhole and remains till the “owner” vacates. I will confess, I have been all three types, and sadly, the second more often than the third. Climbing into someone else’s foxhole is hard, costly, and inconvenient.

 

When my first stepmom’s cancer got worse, my dad said people stopped “comin’ around.” He said it was if they thought it was “catchy.” He said the same was true after he and my mom divorced. As the kid, I can attest to that; I never saw some of my childhood friends, again. The adults didn’t want to “take sides,” and like I said, climbing into someone’s foxhole is hard, costly, and inconvenient.

 

Over the years, it’s cost others to step into our foxholes. It cost my aunt her time. It cost others their time, money, and even food, as one friend fasted for us—even during her vacation! In my post-COVID season, several people have jumped into my foxhole to pray for and encourage us. And thank God for them because I have been healing!

 

Maybe you’re in your own foxhole and it’s about all you can do to pray for God to help someone else. That’s OK. But if you’re able, and as Holy Spirit leads, consider climbing into someone else’s foxhole. Yes, it will cost you, but the return on your investment is exponential, both for the other person and for you.

 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10,12 reminds us why we need each other:

Two are better than one …

if either of them falls down,
    one can help the other up. …

Though one may be overpowered,
    two can defend themselves.

We need each other! The cunning devil knows when we’re alone he can defeat us and God’s plans for our lives. But a friend and fellow believer will remind us that Christ is in our midst. “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

 

If you have a need, I’d love to pray for and walk with you! And if you have been praying for me, thank you so much! Remember, we weren’t meant to walk alone. That’s why God gave us each other.

©Heather Potts 2022

Tell Me Your Story

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TKAN-nAsu8

My Story ~ Big Daddy Weave

 

 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ~ Matthew 11:28 NKJV

 

After talking with other women, I’ve realized that we’re all struggling to find our “drive” again: to keep our houses in order, exercise, meal plan, get together, and/or study our Bibles. The enemy was cunning and convinced us all it was a “just me” scenario. We each blamed different things, but after learning the truth, it’s obviously a spiritual attack. Fortunately, we have the “recipe” to win: fight this spirit with an opposite spirit.

 

About 6 years ago, I struggled to remain in the sanctuary of our church. Though nothing had changed, everything seemed to scream at me to leave. When I took my struggle to my pastor, he told me to begin worshipping Jesus before I even began my walk toward the sanctuary. He said the only way to fight this kind of attack was with an opposite spirit. After two Sundays of doing it, I never had that issue again.

 

How do we approach this attack? If unrest is the issue, then rest is the answer. Not sleeping but resting in the arms of Jesus. We get back to that place by falling in love, again.

 

Tell me your story. When and how did you fall in love with Jesus? Which verses drew you to His heart? Even if you fell away, what drew to Him, again? Was it a worship song that reminded you of His love and faithfulness? Whatever it was, go back to it. Spend time just enjoying those songs, verses, and time with your Savior, again.

 

You fight hell fire with Holy fire, unrest with rest, dryness with refreshing springs, and anger with love. This is a fight, one that Jesus has equipped you to win. If you don’t know where to start, then tell me your story. When did you fall in love with Jesus?

©Heather Potts 2022

Where Do You Find Security?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoL2W9MuA9k

Peace ~ We the Kingdom

 

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord… ~ Jeremiah 17:7 NIVUK

 

The other day, one of my nieces tried to help Elizabeth clean the top of her dresser. Because it’s become her treasure trove, Elizabeth cried when anyone suggested throwing away anything. The incident reminded me of a time, when I was about Elizabeth’s age, that several of my treasures were found in the garbage. After a sewage backup, I remember discovering boxes of my things at the curb. I was hurt and angry at my parents for throwing away my things. I was a kid and didn’t understand that things couldn’t just be cleaned and returned to the house. All I knew was that it happened, and I had no control to stop it.

 

Many of the people we see as heroes are those who suffered experiences outside of their control. Though the experiences affected them, they didn’t stay in a place of hurt and didn’t let “victim” become their identity.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

The overwhelming desire to wallow in the muck of the things that happened to them died when they surrendered their hearts to Jesus, as it is with us when we surrender. The draw to dwell on the past continues to lose influence as we surrender more of our hearts and minds to Jesus.

 

At some point in life, we’ve all lost things, whether physical or relational. Loss tears at our sense of security, which comes from God’s design, that only He can fill. Trying to fill it with anything else leaves us feeling empty and alone.

This is what the Lord says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. That person will… dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.’ ~ Jeremiah 17:5-6 NIVUK

When we tire of what the world cannot guarantee and get to a place of surrender, the “cursed” one becomes “blessed.”

‘But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water… It does not fear when heat comes; … It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.’ ~ Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIVUK

 

If you’ve been living in the “parched places” in any area of your life, it’s time to surrender it to God. Trade in the salt lands for a life planted by the Living Water and watch as that area begins to bear fruit.

©Heather Potts 2022  

He Can pt. 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH0PmaKxOtA

Too Good to Not Believe ~ Cody Carnes

 

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” ~ 2 Kings 6:16 NIVUK

 

I love how 2 Kings 6 sets the stage for God to move in your life, as it relays two stories where people faced overwhelming and seemingly impossible scenarios. In the first story, an iron axe-head fell hopelessly to the bottom of the Jordan River, (v.5). And in the second, horses, chariots, and a strong force surrounded the city, (vv.14-15). In both instances, someone panicked. Wouldn’t you?

 

However, panic is just the outward appearance of the underlying doubt that’s crept into our minds. When I was 11, I doubted God answered prayers, because my present circumstance wasn’t turning out the way I prayed it would, tainting my trust in God. At the time, my parents had recently divorced (though I wanted them to remarry), and my young and hurting mind couldn’t accept that the God of the past—who’d performed miracles—was the same in the present and the future.

 

But just as God “showed up” to help an axe-borrower and a panicked servant, He showed up in my life, too. God caused the axe-head to float, allowing the borrower to retrieve it. He opened the servant’s eyes to see the hills full of horses and chariots of fire, all of which were on the servant’s side. And He allowed me, at 19-years-old, to realize that what I’d needed all along was Him.

 

Over the years, I’ve seen God move mightily. I’ve known 3 couples who divorced, surrendered their hearts to Jesus, and then recommitted to, and remarried, their spouses. I’ve experienced my own healings and have known others to be healed. I’ve seen addicts turn from smoking, drugs, and pornography after they prayed, and never turn back. I’ve seen the hopeless find hope, dead marriages thrive, and money literally show up in the mail when it was most needed. In each circumstance, though the miracle sparked the hope, it was the Miracle Worker who walked each person through their hard times to victory.

 

If you’re struggling with doubt because God hasn’t come through how or when you wanted, don’t panic. As the prophet said, “Those who are with us” [God and His angel armies] “are more than those who are with them” [the enemy]. God is with you. And though your miracle might be to change your heart and not your circumstance, He is still the faithful God who can do the impossible and will always be with you.

©Heather Potts 2022